DEPORTATION

[Victorswife]

Jose and Ivania came to Canada as a refugees over 15 years ago, as he faced danger, having spoken out against a repressive military dictatorship during a violent civil war in El Salvador. Canada accepted him on these grounds, but then, 13 years later, the government decided they want to deport him for the same reason he was originally permitted into Canada. And this simply does not make any sense.

Twenty years ago, Jose was a member of his college student group associated with the opposition movement speaking out against a violent military regime that killed thousands of civilians. The opposition group was a popular broad based coalition its name Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN)—an organization that opposed the military dictatorship. After the civil war ended in 1992, the FMLN became a political party and is the current government of El Salvador.

Due to some overly broad legislation, Canada has mistakenly labeled the FMLN as a terrorist organization, and Jose by extension as a terrorist—when he stood up for human rights against a military dictatorship that used death squads against any opposition.

Jose and his wife have settled down in during the past 15 years, and have three Canadian born children, including an autistic son. His children have lived in Canada all their lives, and they need their father here. It would be a tragedy to uproot him and separate this family just because the government doesn't understand his story.

We are asking all Canadians to help us reverse the deportation order. Help us get a response from the Canadian government. IN SOLIDARITY, FOR FAMILY UNITY.

To learn more about Jose's case see the following websites:

See Jose's powerful talk at TED X Vancouver: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i84jJ4dQk-E

TED X Vancouver, con subtítulos en español/ with Spanish subtitles:l http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGVxu2wkoTY

www.wearejose.wordpress.com

Here is a short documentary about the case. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyOZKYRGq8o&feature=player_embedded

http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2010/09/20/OttawasFlawedMemory/

Some ways that you can help:

Send us your email so we can add you to our supporter list.

Endorse the campaign send us your name, title or group name.

Write letters, emails, phone, to the Minister of Immigration, Jason Kenney; the Minister of Public Safety, Vic Toews; and to your Member of Parliament.

Make a donation to the We Are Jose fund. A special trust account has been set up, and two congregation members of Jose's, from the Walnut Grove Luthern Church, are signees. Cheques can be made out to Jonathan Dyck one of the administrators of the account [write on cheque, donation for wearejose fund]. Please mail cheques c/o Jose Figueroa to the Walnut Grove Luthern Church, 20530 88 Ave Langley, BC V1M 2Y6

Alternatively, funds can be directly deposited to the account at any TD Branch. Here's the info:

Account # 6355 905
Branch # 9186

Join the We Are Jose campaign -- click 'like' on our facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/We-Are-Jose/130762186993781 or www.wearejose.com and share this info with all your contacts and ask them to click like.

Please send us your email address so we can add you to our contact list to keep you up todate re upcoming activities

Thanks for your help! Gracias por su ayuda!bout-us

 

[CanadianJeepGuy]

This Conservative Government gets scarier by the day. How did it happen that Canada ends up a soft dictatorship? The next federal election can't happen fast enough.

 

[gosia]

So sad to hear this, but why do we have to donate money? sounds fishy to me

 

[CanadianJeepGuy]

Hopefully he found the time to get his citizenship. They cannot revoke that.

 

[scylla]

Hopefully he found the time to get his citizenship. They cannot revoke that.

Actually - they can if citizenship was obtained through fraud / misrepresentation. I think many people don't realize that. (Not saying there was any misrepresentation in this case. Just clarifying that citizenship can in fact be revoked.)

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/09/09/jason-kenney-expected-to-announce-2900-being-stripped-of-citizenship-for-fraud/

 

[on-hold]

It is odd, since according to your timeline he came to Canada after that Salvadoran civil war ended, at a time when the FMLN had become an accepted political party. Perhaps this has something to do with his deportation? Or the fact that the FMLN had several constituents, some more violent than others?

 

[truesmile]

Agree with 'gosia', CJG, and 'on-hold's implication, what is money going to accomplish? . . . Not to mention you're barking up the wrong tree. Everyone here is 'applying' to become PR (not even Canadian yet).

 

[dbss]

Actually - they can if citizenship was obtained through fraud / misrepresentation. I think many people don't realize that. (Not saying there was any misrepresentation in this case. Just clarifying that citizenship can in fact be revoked.)

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/09/09/jason-kenney-expected-to-announce-2900-being-stripped-of-citizenship-for-fraud/

what will happen to a person if their citizenship gets revoked and they don't hold dual citizenship...

I mean they are only citizens of Canada.

 

[amikety]

what will happen to a person if their citizenship gets revoked and they don't hold dual citizenship...

I mean they are only citizens of Canada.

Not entirely true. You can be deported if you are stateless.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/05/13/after-26-year-fight-canada-finally-deports-palestinian-terrorist-convicted-of-attack-of-el-al-plane/

But, as you can see, this case was severe and had very special circumstances. This will occur once in a blue moon.

(Once again, I am not making a comment on this particular case - just sharing my knowledge of this particular court case/deportation.)

 

[CanadianJeepGuy]

He was awarded residency based on the conditions of the day not through any misrepresentation. If the government of the day changes their tune 15 tears later and the person in question no longer has any association then what grounds does the government have? I would believe that the burden of proof here is on the government to prove he has terrorist connections.

 

[on-hold]

He was awarded residency based on the conditions of the day not through any misrepresentation. If the government of the day changes their tune 15 tears later and the person in question no longer has any association then what grounds does the government have? I would believe that the burden of proof here is on the government to prove he has terrorist connections.

I absolutely agree with this -- my post wasn't taking sides against this guy, I sympathize with his situation. I just felt that the first post was a little vague, particularly since they were asking for money. There should be a very high bar for the government to clear, here.

 

[CanadianJeepGuy]

I absolutely agree with this -- my post wasn't taking sides against this guy, I sympathize with his situation. I just felt that the first post was a little vague, particularly since they were asking for money. There should be a very high bar for the government to clear, here.

Ya. I agree the canvassing for money is a way off track.

 

[Victorswife]

Jose is a member of my Mom's church.

Here is the website: http://wearejose.drupalgardens.com/

My intention was only to raise awareness and support in that we Stand with him.

The monetary costs are because he has run out of options and has to pay lawyers for fighting this. By no means was that my intention to canvass. But just to support this family with thoughts and prayers.. and if you feel entitled to write a letter... GREAT!!!!
Has last deporation order suggested that he could continue his marriage over Skype :S

 

[CanadianJeepGuy]

Jose is a member of my Mom's church.

Here is the website: http://wearejose.drupalgardens.com/

My intention was only to raise awareness and support in that we Stand with him.

The monetary costs are because he has run out of options and has to pay lawyers for fighting this. By no means was that my intention to canvass. But just to support this family with thoughts and prayers.. and if you feel entitled to write a letter... GREAT!!!!
Has last deporation order suggested that he could continue his marriage over Skype :S

I certainly am very sympathetic for Jose but he has been here for 15 years where are his savings? I am sure that he will have access to many lawyers willing to take this on. If I was a lawyer I would do it pro bono as I'm sure there is some precedent setting aspects to his case.